Improved magnetic field detection device

Abstract

 Provided is a novel sensor device, able to detect magnetic fields over a wide measurement range and to discriminate between different field strengths of the magnetic fields. Multiple sensors are optimally biased to provide a power saving solution which is accurate enough for medical devices applications.

Description

[0001] The invention relates to an improved magnetic field detection device, particular to an improved magnetic field detection device for recognizing magnetic field strength over several magnitudes.

[0002] Magnetic resonance imaging, further referred to as MRI, is of increasing relevance for modem diagnosis. Up to now active implanted medical devices, further referred to as active IMD, such as but not restricted to pacemaker, cardioverter/defibrillator and cardiac resynchronisation therapy devices are a contraindication for utilising MRI technology for diagnosis.

[0003] Even the newly presented so called MRI conditional implants bear at least a portion of discomfort as such devices have to be switched to a so called MRI safe mode, which requires at least a consultation of a heart specialist before and after the MRI examination, if not a heart specialist has to accompany the complete MRI examination.

[0004] These problems can be overcome by a reliable detection of MRI fields and an appropriate programming of the active IMDs, as they are described in EP 1 935 450 by Digby et al. or by Shankar et al. in US 6,963,779. Wahlstrand et al. disclose in US 5,438,990 the use of a so called MagFET, a magnetic field effect transistor or magnetic field sensitive MOSFET as a reed switch. In US 5,179,429 Ristic et al. disclose a magnetic field sensor based on a bipolar transistor with split collector contacts. Also known in the art is the use of hall sensors replacing the reed switch and enabling the device to detect the strength of a magnetic field as in US 6,510,345 Van Bentem et al..

[0005] These publications still lack a power-saving solution which is accurate enough to serve in a medical device.

[0006] Therefore it is an object of the invention to provide a sensor device accurate enough to discriminate between different magnitudes of a magnetic field while the device is power-saving compared to actual solutions.

[0007] The present invention provides a novel sensor device, able to detect magnetic fields over a wide measurement range and to discriminate between different field strengths of the magnetic fields. One aspect of the invention is a magnetic field detection device for detecting magnetic fields and discriminating field strengths according to claim 1. The device is characterized in that, the magnetic field detection device comprises for high field detection at least a MagFET sensor or a magnetotransistor or a hall sensor and for low field detection a reed switch or a hall sensor or a GMR sensor. Furthermore the device generates different signals depending on the magnetic field strengths. Wherein detecting or sensing of no magnetic field means, measuring field strength below a predefined threshold or below the sensitivity of the sensor for low magnetic fields.

[0008] The phrase detection of a magnetic field should be understood as detecting a field and in case of using a MagFET sensor, a hall sensor or a magnetotransistor or a GMR sensor detecting and/or measuring the magnitude or field intensity of a magnetic field.

[0009] MagFET sensor does not only refer to a sensor with one sensor element, but also refers to a sensor with two or more sensor elements. Especially an array of three sensor elements is preferred, because it can sense magnetic fields in all three spatial directions.

[0010] The combination of a reed switch or a hall sensor or a GMR sensor for low field detection and a MagFET sensor or hall sensor or a magnetotransistor for high field detection allows a reduction of power consumption and an enhancing of measurement accuracy, because the different sensors can work, or more precisely measure, in a measurement range they are optimized for. The reed switch is a preferred element for low field detection for field strengths exceeding 1mT, preferably in the range of 1 mT to 3 mT, while MagFET sensor or hall sensors or magnetotransistor are more suitable for high field detection in the order of a few tesla.

[0011] Also preferred is that the magnetic field detection is carried out by a reed switch for low magnetic fields, by a MagFET sensor for out of plane components of high magnetic DC fields and by a magnetotransistor for in plane components of high magnetic DC fields.

[0012] In a different embodiment either the combination of a reed switch for low magnetic field detection and a MagFET for high magnetic field detection or the combination of a reed switch for low magnetic field detection and a MagFET and a magnetotransistor for high magnetic field detection is additionally combined with a high frequency coil or a communication antenna and/or a RF antenna to detect the presence of high frequency magnetic fields. High frequency magnetic fields additionally to high DC magnetic fields are a good and common indicator for the presence of a MRI apparatus.

[0013] In a preferred embodiment the sensor for low field detection is a reed switch susceptible to field strengths exceeding 1 mT.

[0014] In a further preferred embodiment the low field detection is sensitive to magnetic field strength between 1.0 mT and 2.5 mT, preferably between 1.5 mT and 2.0 mT and the MagFET sensor and/or a magnetotransistor for high field detection is sensitive to magnetic field strengths between 0.5 T and 7.0 T.

[0015] It is also preferred that the different signals generated by the device are comprising generating a first signal if detecting a low magnetic field between 0.5 mT and 2.0 mT and generating a second signal if detecting a high magnetic field exceeding 1.0 T and generating a third signal for a magnetic field below 1.0 mT. Wherein generating does not only mean generating a signal, but also transmitting it to a unit controlling the mode of a device incorporating the magnetic field detection device.

[0016] Also in the scope of the invention is an implantable medical device with a magnetic field detection device according to claim 1 comprising at least: a MagFET sensor and/or a magnetotransistor for detecting high magnetic fields exceeding 0.5 T, and a reed switch or a hall sensor for detecting low magnetic fields exceeding 2.0 mT, preferably exceeding 1mT.

[0017] It is preferred to use a magnetotransistor to detect in plane components of the static magnetic field and a MagFET to detect the out of plane component of the static magnetic field. It is further preferred that both sensors are integrated in/on the same circuit board or even in the same integrated circuit, so that they measure magnetic field components, which are orthogonal to each other.

[0018] In a different embodiment two or more MagFET sensors or magnetotransistor sensors are arranged on an ultra high density circuit board which is not flat in such way, that the two or more sensors measure different vectors or components of the magnetic field, preferably orthogonal components of the magnetic field.

[0019] In a preferred embodiment the magnetic field detection device comprises means for generating a first signal if detecting a low magnetic field and means for generating a second signal if detecting a high magnetic field. These signals may be, but are not restricted to control signals to alter the operation mode of the implantable medical device.

[0020] Also preferred is that the detection of a low magnetic field triggers switching of the implantable medical device to a first mode and detection of a high magnetic field triggers switching to a second mode.

[0021] In a further embodiment the first mode is a mode enabling programming of the implantable medical device and the second mode is a MRI safe mode.

[0022] Also preferred is that the MRI safe mode comprises switching to a 000, V00 or D00 mode and/or inhibiting the delivery of a high energy shock. Wherein the first character stands for the pacing mode, the second for the sensing mode (0 means no pacing/sensing , V ventricular pacing/sensing and D dual pacing/sensing in the atrium and the ventricle) and the third for the reaction to the sensing (0 means no reaction).

[0023] Furthermore the scope of the invention includes a method for detecting magnetic fields over several orders of magnitude, characterized in that the low detectable magnetic field strength is measured by a reed switch or a hall sensor or a GMR sensor and the high detectable magnetic field strength is measured by a MagFET sensor and/or a magnetotransistor, and that different signals are generated depending on the measured magnetic field strength. Also preferred is that the method additionally includes combining the high magnetic field detection with a high frequency coil or a communication antenna and/or a RF antenna to detect the presence of high frequency magnetic fields, which are present during a MRI examination.

[0024] In a preferred embodiment the method comprises that detection of a low magnetic field triggers switching of an implanted medical device to a first mode and detection of a high magnetic field triggers switching of the device to a second mode.

[0025] Also preferred is that the method comprises that the first mode is a mode enabling programming of the implantable medical device and the second mode is a MRI safe mode. Some aspects of the invention are illustrated by figures 1 to 7, which show:

Fig. 1

a schematic view of a multi-sensor system for detecting magnetic fields

Fig. 2

a perspective view of a N-channel MagFET

Fig. 3

a schematic representation of a split drain MagFET

Fig. 4a

an exemplary flowchart of a magnetic detection device

Fig. 4b

an exemplary flowchart of a magnetic detection device

Fig. 5

a schematic illustration of a MagFET in a magnetic sensor

Fig. 6

a cross section of a Lateral Magneto-transistor in CMOS technology

Fig. 7

a schematic representing a MagBJT circuit

[0026] An aspect of the present invention is described in fig. 1 showing a schematic view of a multi sensor system. The different sensors 110, 120 and 130 are controlled via a bias/sensor control 111, 121 and 131 and are both optimally biased for their working point. Therefore the energy consumption is minimized. The sensors are connected with the sensor control block 140, comprising a sensor controlblock 141 and a analog conditioning circuit, which delivers the measured fields or a control signal based on the measured magnetic field.

[0027] The assembly of a dual drain n-channel MagFET is schematically shown in a perspective view in fig. 2. Operated in a magnetic field perpendicular to the channel or gate 210 of the electrical signal, identified with the arrow 250, the currents measured between the source 220 and drain 230 or 240 differ from each other, because of the force, identified by arrow 260, affecting the charge carriers. The difference in the current is a measure for the magnetic field. The basic functions of a MagFET are well known by a person ordinary skilled in the art.

[0028] Fig. 3 shows a schematic representation of a split drain n-channel MagFET, with the two different drains D1 310 and D2 311, a common source 300 and gate 320.

[0029] The flow charts of fig. 4 show basic functions of a magnetic field detection device. Fig. 4a illustrates the procedure, if no reasonable magnetic field was detected during the previous measurement, where reasonable means there was no field detected exceeding a certain threshold such as but not limited to 1.7 mT or 1.9 mT. After measuring of magnetic field activity in 400 it is decided whether a field is equal or exceeding 2 mT and/or a field is exceeding 0.5 T or no reasonable magnetic fields has been sensed. In the case 411 in which the measured magnetic field is equal or exceeding 2 mT, but not exceeding 0.5 T, the reed switch or low field sensor output is used to trigger a signal 421 for initiating a first operation mode such as but not limited to a so called magnet-mode or programming mode. The following measurement 450 has to be performed following the flow chart 4b.

[0030] In the case 412 in which the measured magnetic field is equal or exceeding 2 mT and exceeding 0.5 T, the MagFET sensor or high field sensor output is used to trigger a signal 422 for initiating a second mode such as but not limited to a so called MRI-safe mode. The following measurement 450 has to be performed following the flow chart 4b.

[0031] If as in case 413 neither a magnetic field equal nor exceeding 2 mT nor exceeding 0.5 T has been sensed, sensing will be continued with step 400.

[0032] Fig 4b illustrates the behaviour of the device, if in the previous measurement a magnetic field has been sensed which is equal or exceeding a certain threshold such as 2.0 mT and/or is exceeding a second threshold such as 0.5 T. In these cases after a measurement 450 it is decided whether a field is equal or exceeding 2 mT and/or a field is exceeding 0.5 T or no reasonable magnetic fields has been sensed. In the case 461 in which the measured magnetic field is equal or exceeding 2 mT, but not exceeding 0.5 T, the reed switch or low field sensor output is used to trigger a signal 471 for initiating a first operation mode such as but not limited to a so called magnet-mode or programming mode. The following measurement 450 has to be performed following the flow chart 4b.

[0033] In the case 462 in which the measured magnetic field is equal or exceeding 2 mT and exceeding 0.5 T, the MagFET sensor or high field sensor output is used to trigger a signal 472 for initiating a second mode such as but not limited to a so called MRI-safe mode. The following measurement 450 has to be performed following the flow chart 4b.

[0034] If as in case 463 neither a magnetic field equal nor exceeding 2 mT nor exceeding 0.5 T has been sensed and a signal 463 for initiating switching to the default mode is triggered, sensing will be continued with step 400.

[0035] Fig. 5 shows a schematic illustration of a magnetic sensor utilizing a p-channel 513, 514 and/or a n-channel 511, 512 MagFET. The differences in the drain currents are evaluated by a comparator 540. As well in fig. 4a as in fig. 4b under high field conditions (exceeding 0.5T) the reed switch may not necessarily be closed. Therefore from a missing detection of the reed switch it cannot been concluded that no magnetic field is present.

[0036] A cross section of a lateral magnetotransistor in CMOS technology as it is appropriate to combine with a MagFET to improve sensitivity is shown in fig. 6. The assumed magnetic filed, B vector, is represented by sign 601. The Magneto-transistor is a bipolar transistor implemented on a semiconductor surface whose structure and operating conditions are appropriately selected and optimized to boost magnetic sensitivity of its collector current.

[0037] Fig. 6 shows a typical lateral magneto-transistor manufactured in a p-well (base 602) where a voltage is applied to the two base contacts, B+ 622 and B- 621, to accelerate the minority carrier injection into the base 602 region. The two n+ regions 603 and 604, separated by the length of the lateral base 602, L, serve as the Emitter E 630 and Collector C 650 of the magnetotransistor. Assuming that the magnetotransistor is adequately forward-biased, in the absence of magnetic field the electrons are injected into the base region 602 by the emitter 630 and drift mainly along the base length and are collected by collector C 650, producing collector current I_c. Some electrons diffuse downwards and are collected by the secondary collector S 610, producing the substrate current I_s. In the absence of a magnetic field and adequate bias conditions, the ratio of I_c/I_s is constant. Applying a magnetic field B perpendicular to the magnetotransistor, not shown, causes the electrons to be deflected towards the substrate region and therefore very few electrons contribute to the collector current. This causes a very small change in the ratio of 1_c/I_s. In the presence of a magnetic field B 601 in the plane of the magnetotransistor in Figure 6, the electrons are deflected towards the device surface, causing the collector current Ic to increase. This causes an appreciable change in the ratio of I_c/I_s which can measured to get a measure of the applied magnetic field.

[0038] A schematic representation of a magnetotransistor is shown in fig. 7, indicating the collector and base currents with arrows.

[0039] The above mentioned embodiments are adequate for combination with each other, so that the list of embodiments shall not limit the scope of the invention. A person skilled in the art will understand that the embodiments for the methods and devices are related to each other, so that combinations of the embodiments are also comprised by the scope of the invention.

Claims

1. Magnetic field detection device for detecting magnetic fields and discriminating field strengths, characterized in that,
the magnetic field detection device comprises for high field detection at least a MagFET sensor or a magnetotransistor or a hall sensor and for low field detection a reed switch or a hall sensor or a GMR sensor, and that the device generates different signals depending on the magnetic field strengths.

2. The device of claim 1, wherein the sensor for low field detection is a reed switch susceptible to field strengths exceeding 1 mT.

3. The device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the low field detection is sensitive to magnetic field strengths between 1.0 mT and 2.5 mT, preferably between 1.5 mT and 2.0 mT and wherein the MagFET sensor or a magnetotransistor is sensitive to magnetic field strengths between 0.5 T and 7.0 T.

4. The device according to one of the claims 1 to 3, wherein the device generates a first signal if detecting a low magnetic field between 1.0 mT and 2.0 mT and wherein the device generates a second signal if detecting a high magnetic field exceeding 0.5 T.

5. The device according to one of the claims 1 to 4, wherein the magnetic field detection is carried out by a reed switch for low magnetic fields, by a MagFET sensor for out of plane components of high magnetic DC fields and by a magnetotransistor for in plane components of high magnetic DC fields.

6. The device according to one of the claims 1 to 5, wherein either the combination of a reed switch for low magnetic field detection and a MagFET for high magnetic field detection or the combination of a reed switch for low magnetic field detection and a MagFET and a magnetotransistor for high magnetic field detection is combined with a high frequency coil and/or a communication antenna and/or a RF antenna to detect the presence of high frequency magnetic fields.

7. Implantable medical device with:

a magnetic field detection device according to claim 1 comprising:

at least a MagFET sensor and/or a magnetotransistor for detecting high magnetic fields exceeding 0.5 T, and

a reed switch or a hall sensor for detecting low magnetic fields exceeding 2.0 mT, preferably exceeding 1 mT.

8. The device of claim 7, wherein the magnetic field detection device comprises means for generating a first signal if detecting a low magnetic field and means for generating a second signal if detecting a high magnetic field.

9. The device according to claim 7 or 8, wherein detection of a low magnetic field triggers switching to a first mode and detection of a high magnetic field triggers switching to a second mode.

10. The device of claim 9, wherein the first mode is a mode enabling programming of the implantable medical device (421, 471) and the second mode is a MRI safe mode (422,472).

11. The device of claim 10, wherein the MRI safe mode (422, 472) comprises switching to a 000, V00 or D00 mode and/or inhibiting the delivery of a high energy shock.

12. Method for detecting magnetic fields over several orders of magnitude, characterized in that the low detectable magnetic field strength is measured by a reed switch or a hall sensor or a GMR sensor and the high detectable magnetic field strength is measured by a MagFET sensor and/or a magnetotransistor, and that different signals are generated depending on the measured magnetic field strength.

13. The method of claim 12, wherein detection of a low magnetic field triggers switching of an implanted medical device to a first mode and detection of a high magnetic field triggers switching of the device to a second mode.

14. The method of claim 13, wherein said first mode is a mode enabling programming of the implantable medical device (421, 471) and said second mode is a MRI safe mode (422, 472).

Drawing